Southwest Scene.

A Time For Food And A Time For Play

October 20, 1996|By Vicki Vass. Special to the Tribune.

A small but appreciative crowd gathered at Joliet Junior College for its recent dinner/theater presentation at the Joliet campus.

Of the 112 who attended the play, 20 enjoyed a four-course meal prepared by student members of the American Culinary Federation-Louis Joliet Chapter. After the dinner, the guests attended the Fine Arts Department's presentation of "Black Comedy," by British playwright Peter Shaffer.

Dishes were named after characters in the play, and the menu was predominantly British. The main course was a whole roasted Cornish game hen with julienned vegetables.

Proceeds from the event, which totaled nearly $400, will benefit the JJC culinary and fine arts departments.

Director Roz Stone, a JJC faculty member, said the college is hoping to do more dinner/theater events in the future. "We're hoping it grows," she said.

Preparing the meal was a good opportunity for student chefs to practice what they learn in the classroom, instructor Mike McGreal said. "This is good exposure for the students," he said. "Plus, it's nice that the students are able to work with another department of the college."

Sophomore Ken Magana of Richton Park agreed. "It's good that we get to do things to get exposure," he said.

Newark, Ill., resident Pat Hines has been a longtime attendee of JJC theatrical events, but she particularly appreciated the dinner. "I hope they do it again," she said.

By coincidence, Hines happened to be seated at the dinner with an old next door neighbor she had lost touch with--Dorothy Van Horn, who now lives in Joliet. "This has really been a delightful surprise," Hines said. "We've been able to catch up."